SDLP veteran Brid Rodgers has backed Colum Eastwood to lead the party saying “it’s time for change”.

The one-time Stormont minister, who has previously called on Alasdair McDonnell to step down as leader, says she has been “impressed” by the Foyle MLA, adding that he is “articulate and fresh and able”.

Asked if she would back him to lead the party, the former Upper Bann MLA said it would be “good to give him a chance”.

She added: “I think there is need for renewal in the party. I stood down 13 odd years ago to allow the next generation to come on. It’s important in these challenging times, where’s there’s so many people who have stopped voting because they do not see any reason to, to change.

“We need a new generation to give leadership, particularly to those people born after the Good Friday Agreement. There are people who want real politics who are looking for a reason to vote, who are looking for a party with a vision for the future.”

Asked if Alasdair McDonnell should step aside, Ms Rodgers said he “should be allowed the time to make up his own mind”.

She spoke out as Mr Eastwood officially announced he is to run against Dr McDonnell after it was reported on Friday.

The 32-year-old, who is the SDLP’s youngest MLA, said an Irish nationalist party cannot be led from Westminster. He added that Dr McDonnell has “given his life to the SDLP “ and would continue to be South Belfast MP.

He told the BBC his challenge “was not personal “ and said politics needed “a new generation”.

Mr Eastwood secured nominations from nine branches and will challenge Dr McDonnell at the party’s annual conference in November.

He said: “I believe now is the time for a new generation to take forward not only the party, but the future direction of the country.”

An attempt to oust a sitting party leader is highly unusual for the SDLP. The two men will have to go through a series of hustings events ahead of the party conference where they will present their vision for the party to members.

Mr Eastwood became Derry’s youngest ever mayor in 2010 at the age of 27.

SDLP Grandee Brid Rodgers

A year later, he was elected to the devolved Assembly at Stormont and sits on the scrutiny committees of the Office of First and Deputy First Minister and the environment.

He was also private secretary to former environment minister Alex Attwood.

In 2012, he caused controversy by carrying the coffin of a friend who was a former member of the Official IRA and the INLA, but defended his actions.

Reaffirming his commitment to achieving a united Ireland, Mr Eastwood said he would pursue a “new brand of progressive nationalism”.

He added: “Under my leadership the SDLP will promote a progressive nationalism which has economic credibility, social justice, fairness and inclusion at its core.

“People want new leaders with new ideas, charting a new direction for our economy and our society. That is what I want the SDLP to offer. We cannot continue with crisis talks and stand-offs. Our community deserve greater maturity from our politics and bigger ambition from government.”

Mr Eastwood is being supported in his bid by the SDLP deputy leader Dolores Kelly, whose Lurgan branch was among those to propose him as a potential leader. Mrs Kelly has come out in support of Eastwood’s challenge.

She is also facing a battle to retain her role from South Belfast MLA Fearghal McKinney.

Dr McDonnell, a South Belfast MP who has led the SDLP since 2011, has come under increasing pressure to stand down from critics who claim the party cannot be led from Westminster.

He was recently forced to bat away stinging criticism from SDLP grandees Brid Rodgers and Seamus Mallon as well as from MP Mark Durkan.

Dr McDonnell, a renowned political bulldog, has vowed to face any challenge head on.